104

H.—24

[a. macpherson.

103. An indent firm would charge 5 per cent, for indenting alone, would it not?— Yes. 104. That would be more than equal, considering he got the order direct from you without employing travellers? —Yes. 105. With regard to beech, in Australia they only charge 6d. duty on the bulk of their importations from New Zealand, and it seems very hard that wo should charge 2s. on all their timber? — I quite admit that. It seems strange that beech should be outstanding from all the rest, except that it is not a pine. 106. In regard to Oregon, you say that it is already increasing in price?— Yes, that is the tendency. 107. The timber that is being landed now is timber that was bought months ago when prices were lower ? —Yes 108. The landed price of timber that is landed to-day does not give a fair idea of what Oregon pine can be bought at?— No. 109. Then the price is likely to increase? —Yes, I think it will, but I do not know whether it will increase much. 110. Do you not think the extra increase that is likely to take place would be quite sufficient of a handicap without increasing the duty on Oregon ?—I think so. In a few isolated places just near the ports it may still compete for a time with the local timbers, such as Christchurch, where they have to bring the red-pine a considerable distance. 111. They have a big handicap of Is. 6d. on account of it having to go through the tunnel? — Yes. 112. Where Oregon pine is used for framing, is it not a fact that people pay more for it than for red-pine? —Not here —they won't use it. 113. If they do use it they have to pay more for it?— Yes. 114. That is because they think it more suitable? —It is practically not used for that. 115. You said you are a member of the association? —Yes. 116. The last witness was a member of an association, and you would infer from that that he is (juite agreed with the existence of associations? —Yes. 117. Mr. Clarke.] With reference to the association, does your association adhere to this printed price-list marked " McCallum and Co."? —No, we have nothing to do with that. 118. You do not sell on that price-list at all? —No, we sell at a cheaper rate than that. 119. With regard to the operations of your association, is there any distinct understanding that if a member of the association sells below a certain price lie is subject to any penalties either written or implied in any way?—No, no penalties. 120. Mr. Morris.] In reply to Mr. Field you said you had 800 acres allowed you here for milling purposes ?—Yes. 121. Do you not consider that an increase of area would reduce the cost of production and enable the miller to sell at a reduced price?—l do not think so. 122. But he would have a larger area on which to recover the cost of the mill? —I do not think it would make very much difference. It may in some cases where a man could afford to put in an expensive plant. 12.3. Then you consider that 800 acres is a sufficient area for a man to recover the cost of a mill and the whole of his outlay? —No, I do not say that, because when it is worked out he has got the whole cost of shifting to some other place—it is too small so far as the cost of putting an ordinary mill in is concerned. 124. To shift a mill it costs a lot of money?— Yes. 125. Do you buy any timber at all from Greymouth or the West Coast?—We get some —not a great deal. 126. What freight do you pay on it?— Three shillings. 127. That is more than the freight paid on Oregon from America?— About the same. 128. Mr. Barber.] Have you got a printed price-list?— Yes. 129. Can you supply the Commission with a copy?— Yes. [Produced and put in.] 130. You said that the increased cost of a six-roomed house would be from £7 10s. to £10? — That is, without going into the thing carefully —that is, judging from the increased price of the timber. 131. How many feet of timber is there in a six-roomed house?— Fifteen thousand feet. It depends on the house. 132. What is the increase that has taken place in the price of timber during the last five years?—On an average about 2s. That is, 2s. ; n seven years. Then the question of the price of timber is very intricate —there are thirty or forty different prices. 133. You say that it is not correct that the price of timber has gone up 3s. in five years?—l think it is overestimated. 134. Surely you know what the increased price is. Can you give the Commission a price-list of five years ago?—l can produce one for four years ago. It is often varied by the discount. [Price-list produced and put in.] 135. Hon. the Chairman.] Are the discounts more liberal now than they were?— Yes, since the last seven years. 136. Mr. Barber.] Evidence has been given that the increase on 15,000 ft. of timber in a fourroomed cottage has been £21, and'you think that is incorrect?— Yes, as far as the last four or five years is concerned it would be. 137. You could not speak with the same authority as a builder could?—No, not as to the increased cost of a house. I -'is. You are of opinion that in some cities Oregon pine would compete with red-pine?— Yes, in the cities distant from the source of supply.